Hunter Association Headquarters building, Chairman's Office.
Machi Komacine stood at the door, took a deep breath, and then pushed the door open and walked in.
The scene inside the office was exactly as he had imagined.
Chairman Netero was sitting cross-legged on the floor. Hearing the door, he looked up and, seeing it was Machi Komacine, gave a smiling greeting.
"Oh? Machi Komacine, is the matter handled?"
Machi Komacine walked up to him and stood still.
"Chairman, I have something to report."
Netero stroked his beard.
"Speak."
Machi Komacine began to recount everything that had just happened—Brennan's identity being exposed, his partnership with the Doctor, and everything he had done for his daughter.
He spoke in great detail, hiding nothing.
Netero listened quietly, the smile on his face never changing for a moment.
When Machi Komacine finished, he nodded.
"Mm, I see."
Machi Komacine stood there, waiting for a few seconds.
Seeing that the Chairman had no intention of continuing, he couldn't help but ask.
"Chairman, do you have no instructions?"
Netero glanced at him and gave a soft chuckle.
"Instructions? Didn't I say you have full authority?"
"Whatever is found is for you and Leo to handle. An old man like me is just responsible for drinking tea and watching the fun."
Machi Komacine opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back down.
He turned and left helplessly.
A day later, Tote City Airport.
The Airship landed smoothly on the runway, the hatch opened, and Leo walked out.
The afternoon sun was a bit blinding; he narrowed his eyes slightly and scanned the surroundings.
At the edge of the apron, a row of black sedans sat quietly.
They were all luxury cars, their windows tinted dark so the interior was invisible.
Several men in black suits stood by the cars, each with a straight posture and an expressionless face.
Seeing Leo walk out of the hatch, the man in the lead immediately whispered a few words into his earpiece.
The next second, the doors of all the black sedans opened simultaneously.
Over a dozen men in black quickly got out and stood neatly in two rows.
They bowed at the same time and shouted in unison.
"Welcome, Mr. Leo!"
The voices were loud and synchronized, drawing the attention of several passengers who had just disembarked.
Leo's brow twitched slightly.
'Quite the display...'
He didn't say much and walked straight toward the stretched luxury sedan in the middle.
A man in black stepped forward quickly and respectfully pulled the door open for him.
Leo sat inside the car.
The door closed, and the convoy slowly started, driving out of the airport.
The interior was luxuriously decorated, with soft and comfortable leather seats and a car fridge stocked with various drinks.
Leo leaned back against the seat, looking at the rapidly passing street scene through the dark window.
Tote City hadn't changed much from his memory.
Skyscrapers stood tall, traffic flowed like water, and the streets were filled with people in a hurry.
The last time he was here was two years ago.
At that time, he had only just activated his Nen Ability and had accepted a commission from Goreinu to handle some trouble for the Colton Gang.
Back then, his strength was far inferior to what it was now, and he was still full of curiosity and unfamiliarity regarding this world.
Time really flies.
Leo withdrew his gaze, leaned against the backrest, and closed his eyes.
The convoy drove smoothly, and about twenty minutes later, the speed slowed down.
Leo opened his eyes, and outside the window, a massive estate came into view.
Colton Manor.
Several bodyguards with guns stood on both sides of the gate. Seeing the convoy approach, they immediately opened the gate and bowed respectfully.
The convoy drove into the manor, proceeding along the wide main road.
On both sides were neatly manicured lawns and flowerbeds, with the occasional gardener in a uniform seen working busily.
At the end of the main road was a magnificent European-style villa.
White marble exterior walls, tall Roman columns, and exquisite carvings—everywhere exuded the scent of luxury and power.
The convoy stopped in front of the villa, and Leo got out.
At the villa entrance, a figure was already waiting there.
It was a woman in her twenties, wearing a well-tailored deep blue suit, with her long hair pinned up and exquisite makeup.
She had a perfect smile on her face, neither overly enthusiastic nor appearing distant.
Vivian Colton.
The leader of the Colton Gang, an underground queen whose influence spanned three surrounding cities.
Seeing Leo get out of the car, Vivian immediately came forward to meet him.
"Welcome, Mr. Leo, it is an honor to have you!"
Her voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a hint of sincere joy.
As soon as she finished speaking—the people standing behind her all moved at once.
Butlers in black tailcoats, maids in white aprons, bodyguards in crisp suits—everyone bowed deeply at the same time and shouted in unison.
"Welcome, Mr. Leo, it is an honor to have you!"
The voices were perfectly synchronized, clearly having been rehearsed.
Leo's brow twitched slightly; this Vivian... was being a bit too enthusiastic.
'Interesting.'
He thought to himself, though a polite smile appeared on his face.
"You are too kind, Leader Vivian."
He paused and cut straight to the point.
"I wonder if everything I requested has been prepared?"
Vivian nodded, her smile becoming even more brilliant.
"No problem. Everything is ready, just waiting for you to come and inspect it."
She stepped aside and pointed to a man standing next to her.
The man was in his early thirties, wearing a crisp dark suit, with a lean and powerful build and a straight posture; he clearly wasn't weak.
He had a professional smile on his face, but his eyes were sharp and steady.
"This is my security team leader, Dean."
Vivian introduced him.
"He will take you over. If you have any requirements, you can inform him directly, and he will arrange everything."
Dean took a step forward and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Leo, I have long heard of your great name."
Leo sized him up; this man had Qi flowing through him. Although not strong, he was indeed a Nen User.
"Are you also a professional Hunter?"
Leo asked.
Dean nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"That's right. The news of you wiping out the Genei Ryodan and being promoted to a Two-Star Hunter has already spread throughout the entire Association; everyone knows. We greatly admire your strength."
Leo smiled and didn't respond.
Vivian spoke up at the right time.
"Then I won't disturb you any further. I still have many matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
She paused and added.
"Mr. Leo, goodbye."
Leo nodded.
"Goodbye, Ms. Vivian."
Vivian turned and left with several personal bodyguards.
Leo watched her back disappear into the villa, understanding her motives clearly.
He naturally knew why Vivian was being so polite.
The news of the Genei Ryodan being wiped out had long since spread through the underground world.
As a mafia leader, Vivian had certainly learned of this news through her own channels.
On the day she heard the news, Vivian had asked Dean.
—With the strength of the Genei Ryodan, killing her entire mafia would be an easy task.
Yet the man before her had wiped out the entire Troupe by himself.
At this level of strength, he was no longer someone she could afford to offend.
Therefore, she chose to befriend him, making things convenient for others to make things convenient for herself.
As the leader of a local mafia, she had many enemies.
If she encountered trouble she couldn't solve in the future, she could still ask Leo for help.
Leo withdrew his gaze and looked at Dean.
"Let's go."
Dean nodded and led Leo toward another car.